Author Archives: DenairPulse Editor

Proposed 2016-17 DUSD Budget Includes Pay Hikes, Investments in Tech and New Programs

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DUSD Recognition

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Denair Unified School District trustees signaled support Thursday night for a 2016-17 budget that includes small salary increases for all employees and one-time investments in technology and academic programs.

The proposed budget envisions spending $13.5 million in the next school year as compared to about $13.3 million in 2015-16. The difference, explained Chief Business Officer Linda Covello, mostly is due to the 1% pay raises previously approved for all employees plus state-mandated additional contributions to their retirement funds.

There will be two teaching positions added at Denair Elementary Charter Academy to expand the dual-immersion Spanish language program to the first grade.

Extra money received from the state the past few years will be used to buy new 31 new computers for the Denair High School lab as well as innovative Spanish programs for all campuses and a new math curriculum for the elementary campus. Covello said committees composed of staff members are in the process of identifying additional needs across the district. Because the money comes from one-time reimbursements from the state, Covello said it is best invested in equipment, programs or maintenance upgrades that are not ongoing and do not need to be funded each year.

The 2016-17 budget remains lean because the district still projects a slight decline in enrollment. Each student is worth about $8,000 in state funding based on average daily attendance (ADA). In the past five years, ADA has fallen from 1,535 students to 1,275. Continue reading “Proposed 2016-17 DUSD Budget Includes Pay Hikes, Investments in Tech and New Programs” »

Free Summer Feeding Program Features Breakfast and Lunch

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DUSD Lunch program

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

All children 18 and under who live within driving distance of Denair Middle School are invited to participate in a free breakfast and lunch program beginning Monday. Children do not have to attend Denair schools to participate and there is no income or other eligibility restrictions.

The program is a collaboration of the Denair Unified School District and the California Department of Education,using federal grant money.

“Just show up and we’ll feed you a delicious, nutritional meal,” said Billy Reid, Denair’s food services director.

The program will be run from June 6 to July 1 and again from July 11-22. Breakfast – including plenty of locally grown fresh fruit and milk – will be served from 9 to 10 a.m. Lunch – featuring fresh vegetables, more milk and healthy juices, plus favorites such as hamburgers, burritos, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and pizza – will be served from noon to 1 p.m. The menu will change daily.

Reid expects up to 30 youngsters for breakfast and 60 or more for lunch, but said there is room for hundreds more interested children. He emphasized that all children are welcome – a convenience for busy moms and dads who don’t always have time to juggle making breakfast or lunch with their jobs or running kids to other activities

“I’d love to see more participation,” he said. “You know there are people out there who need the help.” Continue reading “Free Summer Feeding Program Features Breakfast and Lunch” »

Free Summer Meals for Kids!

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SummerMealFlyer

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Denair Unified School District is offering free breakfast and lunch for all children, up to age 18. Both meals are served Monday through Friday, June 6, through July 1, 2016 and July 11, through July 22, 2016. Breakfast is served in the Denair Middle School Coyote Center, 3701 Lester Road, Denair, from 9:00 am to 10:00 AM. Lunch is served in the Coyote Center from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  For more information call (209) 664-5804 or visit www.culinarycoyote.com.

Top Denair High Students Arndt, Dirkse and Sweeten Reflect on Academic Success

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Abigail Dirkse, David Sweeten, Logen Arndt

Submitted by Denair High School

The Denair High School Class of 2016 will be honored May 27 at a graduation celebration. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Lytton Stadium. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are not required.

Logen Arndt will be the valedictorian; Abigail Dirkse and David Sweeten are the salutatorians. Arndt (4.33) had the highest grade-point average among the graduating seniors while Dirkse and Sweeten had the second-highest (both 4.25).  All three students recently took time to answer 10 questions about their high school experiences.

Question: What are the key things other students should know about your academic success and how you achieved it?

Arndt: They should know that anyone and everyone can succeed in anything they do if they only put their minds to it. If you have the drive and perseverance to succeed, you can succeed in everything you do.

Dirkse: The reason I was academically successful at Denair was because in class, I always paid attention and made sure to ask questions when I did not understand something.

Sweeten: Do as much work as necessary to achieve what you want and nothing less.

Q: How much time outside of class did you spend studying or doing homework?

Arndt: I spend probably between one and four hours of work on a moderate day. Some days less; other days, I would come home at 1 p.m. and be up past 11 doing schoolwork.

Dirkse: Quite honestly, I did not spend a lot of time outside of class on daily homework because I made sure to use my time in class as best as I could so I would not have homework.

Sweeten: I did not spend any time outside of the school day on schoolwork. Continue reading “Top Denair High Students Arndt, Dirkse and Sweeten Reflect on Academic Success” »